Big Band, Big Dreams, Big Hearts

By Molly Clancy

Published: Oct 04, 2019

In Sinatra’s words, the best is yet to come for the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra.

As far as famous folks go, Jeremy Davis and Clay Johnson have entertained a lot of them. The life-long friends and duo behind the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra recently performed at The V Foundation Wine Celebration in Napa, California, where they also curated the entertainment.

Guests at the event included former San Antonio Spurs player, David Robinson; the Ragin’ Cajun, James Carville; celebrity chef, Emeril Lagasse; Duke Blue Devil’s Coach K and countless other big names. To give an idea of the scope of celebrity in attendance, the event raised seven million dollars in a single day to the sounds of Davis and Johnson’s signature New Orleans big band stylings.

“We were able to go out there and really impress these people. I mean these are people who drive Bentleys around all the time,” Johnson marveled. “We’ve played for Ross Perot, Jerry Jones, T-Boone Pickens,” Davis added.

The Power of Music

As much as they are astounded and humbled by the opportunity to perform for stars, they’re equally as likely to be found serenading a room full of seniors at a retirement center or traveling to bring the joy of music to underserved communities around the world.

Their project, Equinox Global Missions, takes them to destinations like India and Israel where Sinatra’s lyrics may be lost in translation, but the spirit of the music unites everyone in song. “We realized we could use our music as a tool to lift people up and bring people together,” Johnson said.

Davis continued, “There is something special in music that allows people to cross religious borders, language barriers and age differences. Now, we’re planning an expansion of Global Missions with speaking engagements where we talk about that power in music.” The two find sponsors to underwrite the trips and pro bono performances so they can bring their 17-piece band and share the music free of charge.

Growing the Business

If that doesn’t keep them busy enough, Davis and Johnson recently launched Equinox Entertainment, a full-service entertainment agency. “This isn’t new for us,” Davis explained. “If people called us wanting great music and we were booked, we didn’t say no. We’d ask what they wanted, and we would book someone for them,” Davis explained. “We’re just making it official.”

Unlike other agencies, Equinox doesn’t present a massive stable of talent to choose from. Rather, they consider themselves curators in the business of creating custom experiences. They call on their extensive network of musicians, DJs, comedians and Broadway stars to coordinate entertainment for any kind of event from weddings to corporate conferences and theater performances to restaurant bookings.

Their first project was for BURST Oral Care, one of the fastest-growing subscription-based services in America. “They’re huge. They’re this young, hip, sexy company. Sexy toothbrushes,” Clay described. BURST needed entertainment for their company convention synchronically called BURSTCon. “This is a big deal,” Davis and Johnson thought. They saw the potential. It was a job interview for a life-changing partnership.

“It was the worst disaster in twenty years,” Davis confessed. A power glitch had shorted out their speaker system. “Everything was cooked. All the fuses were blown. There was smoke coming out of the speakers. Clay was convinced it was over.” Davis thought otherwise, and the band played on.

As evening fell, the dew settled on the dance floor. “It was slicker than snot on a doorknob,” Johnson joked in characteristic Southern idiosyncrasy. “Their music director slipped and hit his head on the stage. Things were not going well.”

“To make an awful, long, horrific story short, my gut was right,” Davis said. “They saw people who were committed and willing to go the extra mile.” After the conference, BURST put Equinox on retainer. It speaks volumes about who they are as people and as business owners.

Life of the Party

That first near miss under their belts, the two aren’t slowing down. “As Equinox Entertainment has taken off, Equinox Orchestra has been busier than ever,” Johnson said.

On top of that, they’re launching another iteration of the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra in the Equinox All-Stars. “It’s something we’ve had requests for over the years,” Davis said. People would ask for songs that are outside of the Equinox Orchestra’s typical repertoire, so they decided to create a rock ’n’ roll band with a horn section and a rotating cast of three to five additional singers. “We can do everything from shag to Motown to Bruno Mars to Beyoncé,” Davis explained. “It’s really a party band.”

Davis, Johnson and The Equinox All-Stars will be getting the party started at Dine South this year - showing us their talent for entertainment, finishing each other’s thoughts and bringing a sense of fun to every stage they take (and every interview they give.)

This is not a celebration. It is not a salute. This, readers, is a manifesto. It is a bold declaration of the richness of the South, of the majestic talents, relentless ambition and singular vision that reside just behind each face you pass in your travels. These are the faces of the people who are creating the new South through the sweat of their brow and the depth of their passions. But if you never look closer you may never know how deep that passion goes, and what it has accomplished.

This is not a celebration. It is not a salute. This, readers, is a manifesto. It is a bold declaration of the richness of the South, of the majestic talents, relentless ambition and singular vision that reside just behind each face you pass in your travels. These are the faces of the people who are creating the new South through the sweat of their brow and the depth of their passions. But if you never look closer you may never know how deep that passion goes, and what it has accomplished.

This is not a celebration. It is not a salute. This, readers, is a manifesto. It is a bold declaration of the richness of the South, of the majestic talents, relentless ambition and singular vision that reside just behind each face you pass in your travels. These are the faces of the people who are creating the new South through the sweat of their brow and the depth of their passions. But if you never look closer you may never know how deep that passion goes, and what it has accomplished.

This is not a celebration. It is not a salute. This, readers, is a manifesto. It is a bold declaration of the richness of the South, of the majestic talents, relentless ambition and singular vision that reside just behind each face you pass in your travels. These are the faces of the people who are creating the new South through the sweat of their brow and the depth of their passions. But if you never look closer you may never know how deep that passion goes, and what it has accomplished.

This is not a celebration. It is not a salute. This, readers, is a manifesto. It is a bold declaration of the richness of the South, of the majestic talents, relentless ambition and singular vision that reside just behind each face you pass in your travels. These are the faces of the people who are creating the new South through the sweat of their brow and the depth of their passions. But if you never look closer you may never know how deep that passion goes, and what it has accomplished.

February's Brews for a Cause was held at the Drayton Hotel on Thursday, February 27th. South Magazine and Southern Eagle teamed up to raise money through a large silent auction for the Savannah Ambucs organization. Craft Beer samplings from Wild Leap Brewing, alongside appetizers from the Drayton Hotel were offered to guests.

The American Heart Association held its annual Southern Coast Heart Ball on Saturday, February 8th at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception with a silent auction, dinner and program, and dancing to end the evening. All proceeds went to the Open Your Heart campaign.

Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Center held its Fourth Annual Hearts for Healing Gala on Friday, February 7th at the Tybee Island Wedding Chapel. Guests enjoyed gourmet dining, dancing, and a silent auction. All proceeds from the auction benefitted the Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Center's program for individuals with disabilities.

The LeClerc Family owners of IDC (International Diamond Center) in Savannah 349 Mall Blvd held a benefit to support the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire on Thursday, February 6th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm. Guests enjoyed light food and drinks, while bidding on several silent auction items, including autographed footballs and helmets donated by Anthony Lanier II.

The Royce Learning Center held their annual low country boil and oyster roast on Saturday, February 1st. Guests enjoyed mingling over the seafood selection. Royce Learning Center meets the needs of children and adults with learning differences and literacy needs through its unique programs.